Gilbert Barry Garske

November 9, 1939 – October 7, 2025

Gilbert Barry Garske – called Barry his entire adult life, peacefully went into the arms of his Lord on October 7, 2025, at 12:10AM.  Barry was 85 years old and suffered from severe dementia.  His wife and his Pastor were with him a few hours before he passed.

Barry was born on November 9, 1939, in a hospital in Breckenridge, Minnesota.  Both his mother and father, Clara and Ervin Garske, were present.  He had an older sister, Sylvia.

The family lived in Campbell, MN, a tiny farming town.  The entire family were members of the Lutheran Church their entire lives.  The family stayed on the farm for a few years until Barry developed Asthma and was allergic to so many things on the farm.  They then moved into town.

Airplanes were one thing Barry loved his entire life.  One of his main hobbies was building model airplanes out of balsa wood.  Barry also loved to read, and that was a lifelong interest.

Barry graduated from New Ulm High School in 1957 and once the internet was around, he kept in touch with many of his classmates until their 60th high school reunion.

After high school Barry’s parents sent him to airline school in Chicago.  His class graduated from airline school, and Barry went to work for North Central Airlines. This was 1959.  He stayed with North Central for 3 years, basically learning most everything about reservations and all airport duties.

In 1962 a friend who worked for Continental Airlines, told Barry about openings in Tucson, AZ.  Thus the beginning of 29 years with Continental.  Barry moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to work in reservations.  He met his future wife, Diane, during the summer of 1966, when she worked a summer job while in college.  Barry and Diane formally met at a party after work.    They were married 11 months later and were married for 58 years.

Barry was blessed to eventually work in IT for Continental.  Unfortunately, The IT division of Continental was bought out several times and in 1991, EDS furloughed several longtime employees.  Barry was one of those.  He was 52 and out of work!  Fortunately, USAirways had openings a few months later, so Barry moved to Winston-Salem, NC.  Barry was with USAir for 5 years until they were bought out by American.  Three years after that, American also furloughed, and Barry was again out of a job – at 60 years old.  He had had enough of IT, so he worked odd jobs, then did income taxes.

Barry and Diane traveled to many countries over the next 50 years, 5 continents, all 50 states, and all but 2 Canadian provinces.  They often took his parents, his sister, then their children with them, then their grandchildren.  They also went on many cruises.  They loved camping and traveled back and forth across the US and Canada 5 times in an RV.  They spent an entire summer in BC, Yukon Territories, and Alaska, with their longtime great friends, Roger and Joyce.  They spent a summer in the Canadian Maritime provinces.  They were blessed to spend 8 winters in Arizona in a wonderful RV resort.

Barry’s daughter and granddaughter moved to Portland, OR in 2003.  Barry and Diane followed a year later, and Barry lived here until his death.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Clara Garske, and his sister Sylvia Tatman.  He leaves behind his wife, Diane; son Chris, daughter Adena; his four grandchildren, Zoey, Orion, Ian, and Jordan; and 2 great-grandchildren, Noelle and Miles.  There will be a private family memorial service in Florida where Chris and family live.

Special thanks to Barry’s amazing caregiver for the past 5 years, Florica.  She made his last days in her home the best they could be.  Thank you to Omega Funeral and Cremation Services of Portland, Oregon, who have provided arrangements and care for Barry.